Thomasina Talley Greene Explained

Thomasina Talley Greene
Birth Date:1913 6, df=y
Birth Place:Nashville, Tennessee, US
Death Place:Jefferson City, Missouri, US

Thomasina Talley Greene (1913–2003) was an African-American concert pianist and music educator who opened a music studio in 1942 in Jefferson City, Missouri. She was honored as a 1963 Missouri Woman of Achievement for her outstanding contribution to the arts, including a memorable recital at Lincoln University.[1] [2]

Biography

Born on 29 June 1913 in Nashville, Tennessee, Thomasina Talley was the daughter of Thomas Washington Talley (1870–1952) and Ellen Eunice née Roberts.[3] She was the family's second child, following Sonoma Talley (born 1900),[4] who was also a music teacher.[5] Their interest in music was no doubt encouraged by their father, who was not only head of the chemistry department at Fisk University but took a keen interest in American music and conducted the Fisk choir.[3]

Thomasina Talley was taught to play the piano from the age of five. She graduated from Fisk University in 1929 and went on to study piano at . New York's Juilliard School, receiving a diploma in 1932. After teaching for a period at the high school in Columbia, Missouri, she moved first to Texas and then to North Carolina. In 1939, thanks to a Rockefeller fellowship, she was able her to complete her studies at Columbia University in 1942.[1]

While at Columbia, Talley fell in love with the historian Lorenzo Greene (1899–1988). The couple moved to Jefferson City where Thomasina opened a music studio and taught on occasion at Lincoln University. They married on 19 December 1942 and had one child, Lorenzo Thomas (born 1952).[1]

In 1969, Greene was professionally recognized as a teacher of applied music for piano in any state in the union by the Certification Board of the Music Teachers National Association.[6] From 1966 to 1977, she was associated with the television music station KRCG, which aired programming prepared by the Rhapsodic Junior Music Club, which Greene directed.[7] [8] [9]

Thomasina Talley Green died in Jefferson City on 1 June 2003.

Notes and References

  1. Book: Greene, Lorenzo J.. Selling Black History for Carter G. Woodson: A Diary, 1930-1933. 2018. University of Missouri Press. 978-0-8262-7402-1. 8–.
  2. News: Pianist Named 'Woman of Achievement'. The Pittsburgh Courier . 15 February 1964. 7. 4 July 2020 .
  3. Web site: Thomas Washington Talley . Cockrell, Lucinda Poole. Tennessee Encyclopedia. 4 July 2020 .
  4. Web site: Thomasina Washington Talley. Family Search. 4 July 2020 .
  5. Web site: Talley, Sonoma. Alpha Kappa Pioneers. 4 July 2020 .
  6. News: Dr. Greene: Gains recognition. Jefferson City Post-Tribune. 26 March 1969. 10. 4 July 2020 .
  7. News: Music Week Program Given . 7 July 2020 . May 5, 1966 . Jefferson City Post-Tribune . Jefferson City, Missouri . 5 . Newspapers.com.
  8. News: Junior Music Club Slates Appearance . 7 July 2020 . February 4, 1972 . The Daily Capital News . Jefferson City, Missouri . 7 . Newspapers.com.
  9. News: February Slated as U.S. Music Month . 7 July 2020 . February 6, 1977 . The News and Tribune . Jefferson City, Missouri . 15 . Newspapers.com.